Readout of Deputy Secretary Bob Work's Visit to the United Kingdom

Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work is visiting the UK July 3-5 to meet with senior government and military UK leadership and attend the naming ceremony for the Royal Navy's lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of aircraft carrier.

Today, the deputy secretary met with the Chief of Defense Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton and other senior UK government leaders to discuss defense strategies and capabilities collaboration, including U.S.-UK cooperation on nuclear issues, procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter, and carrier operations.

Additionally, Work met with UK Deputy National Security Advisor Julian Miller and other senior UK interagency officials on a wide range of security issues of mutual concern. Deputy Secretary Work and Deputy National Security Advisor Miller shared insights on how to sustain capabilities in fiscally constrained times and increase defense cooperation within the U.S.-UK alliance.

During his meetings, Work thanked the UK government for their steadfast partnership in conducting joint military operations and for their leadership role within NATO, to include hosting the upcoming NATO Summit in Wales. He pledged to continue a regular dialogue.

Tomorrow, Work will attend the July 4 naming ceremony for the HMS Queen Elizabeth at the Rosyth dockyard in Scotland. The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert will also attend the event, which is a significant milestone in future carrier operations and maritime power projection.